AN Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) retired lieutenant colonel was charged before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for allegedly signing six inspection and acceptance reports without inspecting the construction materials that were purchased for the repair and maintenance of the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAC) barracks in Camp Aguinaldo in 2004.

Charged with six counts of falsification of documents was retired Lt. Col. Manuel Rugrug of B2 L7 1st  St. Southcom Village, Calarian, Zamboanga City.

Graft Investigator and Prosecution Officer (GIPO) Kathryn Rose Baliatan of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of charges after finding probable cause to indict the respondent in court.

Records showed on Dec. 22, 2004, retired Brig. General Alexander Aleo, former commanding general of AFP Headquarters Service Command, requested from the office of the AFP Vice Chief of Staff for the release of P2,681,530 for the procurement of materials needed for the repair of WAC barracks.

On Dec. 29, 2004, an allotment advice was issued to Aleo authorizing him to incur obligations during the period Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2004 in the amount of P2,681,530.

Following the issuance of the allotment advice, Aleo issued the purchase orders (POs) which were also signed by retired Maj. Crispin Malibiran, Logistics officer, Chief Accountant Generoso del Castillo Jr. and the representatives of the supplier.

After the POs were issued, disbursement vouchers were then issued signed by Aleo and retired Lt. Col. Faustino Calapi, chief claims processing office, who certified that the expense are necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision.

Thereafter, six Inspection and Acceptance Reports (IARs) which were undated, were issued. In said IARS, Rugrug attested that he inspected, verified and found the supplies subject of the POs aboveboard as to quantity and specifications.

When the IARS were already signed, the said project was started on Jan. 23, 2005. However, the project was stopped after it was subjected to investigation conducted by the AFP’s Ethical Standards and Public Accountability due to some alleged irregularities.

In recommending the filing of the case, Baliatan explained that a perusal of the subject IARs showed that respondent certified and signed the said reports that he inspected, verified and found them aboveboard as to the quantity and specifications.

However, in his counter-affidavit, Rugrug admitted that he signed several blank IAR before he left for Christmas and New Year vacation in December 2004 but claimed that he signed them to facilitate the processing of POs in his absence.

A bail of P24,000 for each count was recommended for the provisional liberty of the respondent.